We all want to do our bit to make the world a better place. Many of us choose a plant based vegan lifestyle that eschews animal products to promote animal welfare and aid environmental sustainability. Others choose to buy fairtrade to ensure that the farmers who grow and cultivate the products that we use for our food, drinks and clothing are fairly recompensed for their labors. Even if it’s making sure that we tip well, in restaurants, we all like to do our bit to look after our fellow human beings, our planet and all the lifeforms that live on it.
Therefore, when it comes to getting hitched, we’re left with an apparent conundrum. To be ethical, or to be affordable? To this we say… Is it too much to ask for both? Here are some ways in which you can ensure that your wedding is as ethical as possible without breaking the bank.
Rings and things
Many brides and grooms to be aren’t aware of the ethical cost of the jewellery they buy, but the mining of precious metals and minerals (especially diamonds) can have serious ethical implications. Despite efforts to ensure that miners across the world get a fair shake there are still shocking instances of threats, violence, murder and modern day slavery in the mining of materials that make wedding and engagement rings. The good news is that these can be ethically sourced without compromising on quality or paying through the nose. Many retailers such as Brilliant Earth place ethics at the forefront of their business model, protecting the environment from adverse effects caused by mining as well as supporting the livelihoods of miners, preventing human rights abuses and empowering the communities of mining towns. If you want to ensure that your chosen rings is ethically sourced here are some ways in which you can check.
Getting in shape
Every bride and groom wants to look their absolute best on the big day which often means an intense exercise and dietary regime. Unfortunately, in a biod to lose weight fast, many people turn to protein rich diets based almost entirely around meat and dairy consumption like the Atkins and Dukan diet. If you’re looking to lose weight quickly without the animal suffering and environmental cost necessitated by animal agriculture, you may be pleasantly surprised to know that a vegan diet is the best diet for not only sustainable weight loss but maintaining overall health.
Food and wine
While an entirely plant based wedding breakfast is the most ethical option you may not embrace a vegan diet and even if you do, your guests may prefer to have the option of meat and dairy. The good news is that you don’t have to be vegan (or even vegetarian) to keep things ethical at the dinner table. Keeping your food fair trade and organic is the best way to ensure this.
Of course, you can always sneak veganism into proceedings with a delicious vegan wedding cake that are every bit as beautiful and delicious as their butter, cream and egg rich counterparts. Wine should also be fair trade when possible.
By making a few judicious choices, you’d be surprised at how easy it is to make the most magical day of your life more ethical.
